If you’ve ever stood in the gardening aisle squinting at a seed packet that says “Full Sun” and thought, Sure, I’ll just put it somewhere bright, you’re not alone. But “full sun” doesn’t just mean it looks sunny from the kitchen window. It’s a specific condition, and if you get it wrong, your tomatoes might sulk, your basil will bolt, and you’ll end up blaming the seed company. (Spoiler: it’s probably not their fault.)
🌞 Key Takeaways
- 🌞 Full sun means 6+ hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
- 🕒 Hours don’t have to be consecutive but must add up daily during the growing season.
- 🍅 More sun is usually better for fruits and vegetables like tomatoes and squash.
- 🌳 Partial shade is not the same as full sun, even if the spot looks bright.
- 📱 Use a sunlight tracker or observe your garden throughout the day to find true full sun spots.
- 🌿 Plants respond to conditions, not labels. Trust what they show you.
Table of Contents
How Many Hours Is “Full Sun”?
Full sun means a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. Not filtered. Not bright shade. We’re talking about full-on, sunglasses-required, cloudless-sky type light.
If your plant only gets a strong blast in the morning or a glow in the evening, that doesn’t count as full sun. It may still survive, sure, but it probably won’t thrive. Think spindly stems, fewer flowers, smaller fruit. Sad stuff.
For a full breakdown of light levels and how they affect different plants, check out our ultimate guide to plant lighting. It covers everything from bright indirect to full shade, with practical tips for indoor and outdoor growers alike.
Do Those Hours Have to Be Consecutive?
Not necessarily. You can add up the total across the day, as long as it’s direct sunlight. For example, if a spot gets three hours in the morning and another three in the afternoon, that’s fine.
But if your garden gets three hours in spring and three in late summer? Not the same thing. We’re talking about daily sunlight during the growing season, not an annual total.
Is More Than Six Hours Better?
Usually, yes. Many sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes, squash, peppers, and melons do best with 8 to 10 hours of sun a day. They’re solar-powered food machines. Give them light and they’ll reward you with abundance.
But too much sun, especially in very hot climates, can cause issues like leaf scorch or soil that dries out too fast. So, balance is key. Mulch helps. So does choosing varieties that are bred for heat resistance if you live somewhere scorched.
Wait, What’s the Difference Between Full Sun, Partial Sun, and Partial Shade?
- Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
- Partial Sun: 4 to 6 hours, leaning toward more light
- Partial Shade: 4 to 6 hours, leaning toward more shade
- Full Shade: Less than 4 hours of direct light
It’s confusing, yes. Especially because some plants like dappled sunlight—like what you’d get under a tree canopy—so you may have to experiment and observe. Labels are helpful, but plants don’t read them. They just react.
Quick Tips for Finding a Full Sun Spot
- Use a sunlight meter or app to track how long a spot stays in the sun.
- South-facing spots tend to get the most light (in the Northern Hemisphere).
- Observe shadows throughout the day. Morning shade and afternoon sun is often ideal for many edibles.
- Be mindful of structures and trees that cast long shadows, especially in late spring and summer.
The Bottom Line on Sunlight
I learned the hard way that “full sun” isn’t just a casual suggestion. A few years ago, I planted tomatoes in what I thought was a sunny spot. They grew tall, looked healthy, but barely gave me any fruit. Turns out, they were getting only four hours of real sun a day. Since then, I’ve been a lot more intentional about where I plant what. If you’re going to put in the effort, you might as well give your plants the conditions they actually need to succeed. Your future harvest will thank you.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.